Car construction



Sept. 1, 1942. B. w. KADEL CAR CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. 26, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet l amvenioz FIG- 5 Sept. 1, 1942. B. w. KADEL' I 2,294,502

CAR CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. 26, 1940 2" Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. 1, 1942 Um'reo STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,294,592 CAR ooNs'rRoo'rIoN 3 w i m i e te lY-Ft- Application November 26, 1949, Serial No. 367,913

ma me- 0. *-7 t thereof, over-reaches the side edge of the door 3 plate and is there adapted for engagement with a movable hook, latch or the like mounted upon the side of the car.

'Among the objects of the invention are to provide improvements in such extensions, to the particular end that they may be efiectively applied to the car when originally built, and more particularly, so that in cases where wear or distortion occurs the arm or extension may be adjusted to compensate for the same so as always to 3 maintain a tight door. The character of lading carried in the ordinary hopper car has year by year overgone changes so that today very fine coal, sand and other materials are handled in such cars; consequently, the fit of the door and the tightness of closing must be much more exact than was tolerable in the past. The present invention is particularly directed to means for maintaining a tight closing condition at all times.

The invention consists of the formation, combination and arrangement of parts as will be herein described or particularly claimed.

In the accompanying drawings Figures 1 to 5 i show one form of the invention and Figures 6 to 10 another form. Figure 1 is a plan view of the 1 door arm unit, the hopper car door to which it is illustrated as applied being shown partly in cross-section. Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the same, taken partly in section on line 2 -2 of Figure 1. Figure 3 is'a transverse vertical section through the adjusting eccentric, on line 3-3 of Figure 1. Figure 4 is a plan View of the eccentric member removed from .the assembled unit. Figure 5 is a plan view of the tie or trunnion plate.

Figures 6 to 10 show the other form of the invention and in these, Figure 6 is a plan view similar to Figure 1. In this figure a portion of the door frame is indicated in cross-section. Figure 7 is a side elevational view of the construction of Figure 6. Figure 8 is a transverse vertical sectional view through the same, taken on-line 8-8 of Figure 6. Figure 9 is a fragmentary longitudinal section of the same taken on line ,9$ of Figure 6. Figure 10 is a transverse vertical sectional View taken on line C-C of Figure 6.

Referring to these drawings, the construction illustrated is that of the usual hopper car having an inclined hinged door for the discharge of the The closure plate for Doors of this lading beneath the car. such'a door is indicated at I.

type are supplied with an external beam or spreader usually formed of an angular section I door" beam near circular hole eccentric 8.

member such as the Z-bar 2 shown in the present drawingsj The term"car door as used herein refers not merely to the door closure member or door plate but rather to the door unit; usually embodying one or more closure plates together with rigidly attached hinges and a beam or stiffener, all connected together into a door structure that is removable from the car as 'a'unitand which constitutes" the car door of ordinary railroad parlance. The door beam extends substantially to a side edge of a door plate, terminat- 'at 4, and is riveted thereto at 3. A hook or latch indicated at 5 is usually pivotally mounted upon the car 'side for engagement with the 'protruding door beam or" an arm or extension thereof to hold the door in closed position. The elements thus described have been in general use for many years" and it has also been common practice for many years torigidly secure a separable extension member to the end of such a door beam for engagement by the hook 5. Such construction is shown in the following patents: Wine, 1,431,506; Wine, 1,436,927; Wine, 2,057,757; Wine, 2,104,359.

Secured upon the door beam'Z and'comprising anextension thereof is a door arm unit embodying' the'principles'of the present invention. This ismade up of an adjustable arm member 6 pivoted at axis 1, intermediate its ends, to the the end of the beam, and an eccentric member 8 rotatively associated between the web 2a of the Z-'bar and the innermost end of the arm member. The'arm'member 6 is arranged to lie in flat fashion'above the outstanding web 2a of the Zbar, the 'pivot' axis 1 being arranged upright to this web, or in a direction so that the ends of the arm member when swung about said pivot move in the direction of opening "or closing movement of the door. Accordingly, the arm member 6 may be swung about pivot point I to cause the projecting hook-engaging portiontl thereof to" approach 'or recede from the hook face. The door arm may thus be'caused to" assume a position best adapted for a tight fit engaged by the hook 5.

' Arranged beneath the web Zaof the Z-bar is a tie or trunnion member 10 through which the pivot rivet 'la'passes. This tie memberis providd at its inner "end with an upwardly extended trunnion II which is arranged to" pass'thro'ugh a I II in the web of the Z bar." The trunnion extends materially above the web and constitutes a'lb aring for the rotation of the cocentric '8. The inner end of the arm member 6 is pierced at E2 to loosely surround the trunnion H and the downwardly extending hub l3'of the This h'ole i2 is elongated transversely'of the arm 6 so that the inner end of the arm may have movement toward and away from he de n gbn' et q t n of ent member 8. The eccentric member 8 is formed with a downwardly-opening trunnion bearing 8a which seats rotatively upon the trunnion ll, hub l3 extending downwardly into the' opening I2 of the arm member 6 as described. The axis of rotation of the eccentric member is at M, being the intersection of lines X-X and Z--Z (see Figure 4), whereas the outer periphery of the eccentric is struck about point N as a center, this being the intersection of lines Y-Y and ZZ, Figure 4. The pivot axis M of the eccentric lies therefore parallel with the pivot axis 1 about which the arm member swings, and both are normal to the direction of the closing movement of the door. The angular relationship of the arm member and the door is therefore properly altered by movement of the eccentric.

The top portion of the eccentric member 8 is formed in square fashion at H! so that a wrench may be applied to forcibly rotate the same when adjusting the door arm.

Looking now at Figure 1, when the eccentric member is rotated upon the trunnion II it will cause an inward or outward movement of the inner end of the door arm, due tothe contact of the eccentric surface I4 of the eccentric member against an appropriate contacting surface I5 of the arm member 6, the arm member being suitably flanged at I6 for such contact. The

flange I6 is continued at H to unite with the hook-engaging flange portion at 9 and so as to form a continuous flange along the inner edge of the arm member 6. A similar outer flange I8 is provided and this flange extends contin- H Thus the entire arm.

2| so as to swing the door back and forth and I then slam the door shut so that the hook 9 can engage the arm member. The hole 22 in the arm member is for use when a door is to be chained, as for ballast spreading.

In practice, the door arm unit is applied to the end of the Z-bar and the pivot rivet la is driven. The door is then pushed shut and the hook engaged with flange 9. A wrench is then applied to the eccentric member and by means of the wrench the eccentric is rotated and the door drawn tightly shut by suitable swinging of the door arm member about the pivot point 1. This can be done, even though rivet 1a has already been driven. When the door arm is thus adjusted so that the door is in tightly closed position the rivet 20 is driven at the axis of eccentric member 8. This locks the eccentric member into tight engagement with the door arm. It is pointed out that the trunnion H and the cooperating opening 8a. of the eccentric 8 are formed in tapered fashion; furthermore, that the face I4 of the eccentric and the engaging face of the flange l5, as at I5 (see particularly Figure 3), are formed in tapered fashion. Thus when the rivet 20 is driven the eccentric is wedged tightly against the trunnion II and also against the flange I6 so that it is thereby locked against rotation until the rivet 25 is removed. Attention is also called that the bearing of the of the arm member against the Z-bar flange at 23 is at an angle which is within the angle of repose, hence the pressure from the support of the door sets up no effective moment to cause dislocation of these parts in service.

After a period of service wear and distortion will take place in the door supporting mechanism and it is common experience that new doors tightly fitted will shortly develop enough looseness to permit loss of fine lading. When this occurs, it is only necessary to cut off and remove the rivet 20, place a wrench on the squared portion of the eccentric member, draw the door tightly shut and redrive the new rivet at 20 and the mechanism is readjusted as when the car was originally built. The dotted lines at 6a in Figure 1 show how the outer end of the arm member 6 is moved by rotation of the eccentric member 8.

Attention is called that the pressure between the door arm member and the outer end of the Z-bar is effected, not at rivet I but at bearing point 23 (see shaded area, Figure 1) where the inner flange 9|'l of the arm member is formed in arcuate fashion and has direct bearing against the metal of the upright flange of the Z-bar. The arcuate form of this bearing point 23 is formed around axis 1 as a center so that the bearing is of true contour irrespective of the degree to which the lever is swung in the process of adjusting. This relieves the rivet at I from the severe strains incident to supporting the loaded door. For it will be noted that bearing load at 23 is considerably greater than either the hook load or the eccentric load.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 6 to 10, a fragment of the door frame against which the door I seats is indicated at 24. A Z-bar door beam 2 having an outstanding web 2a is employed in the same manner as in the preceding figures, this door beam ending inwardly of the edge of the door plate at 4 and being secured to the door plate by means of rivets 25 and 26, one of which may be countersunk to clear the door arm member.

Secured upon the top face of the web 20. of the Z-bar 2 and extending upward against the upstanding flange of the Z-bar is a base member 21. The rivets 25 and 26 secure an upstanding flange 28 of this base member to the upstanding flange of the Z-bar. The base member also has an outstanding flange 29 which lies above and is secured to the top of the outstanding flange 2a of the Z-bar. The base member terminates substantially at the end of the Z-bar, and just inwardly of this end it is provided with an upstanding trunnion 38 upon which an eccentric member 3| is journaled. The top of this eccentric member is formed in square fashion at 32 for application of an adjusting wrench.

A door arm member 33 is pivotally mounted upon the base member 21 at pivot axis 34 this being near the innermost end of the arm member. Ihe arm member extends outwardly beyond the end of the Z-bar and the end of 'the base member 21 and beyond the side of the car where it is formed for engagement with a swinging door latch or the like, the same as described in connection with Figures 1 to 5. The pivoting of the arm member 33 upon the base casting 21 is accomplished by forming a trunnion 35 upon the upper face of the flange 29 of the base member 21, the inner end of the arm member 33 being suitably apertured at 42 to fit in journal fashion upon this upstanding trunnion 35. Awasher 36 is placed on top of the trunnion and a rivet 31 driven axially of axis 34 is employed to secure the washer, the base casting and the z-bar web together and to prevent rising of the inner end of the arm member 33.

Intermediate its ends the arm member is provided with an opening 38 of a size and character to receive the eccentric member 3| the external periphery of which is indicated at 39. It is pointed out that the axis of rotation of the eccentric member 3| is at 4|], being at the intersection of lines A--A and 8-8, Figure 6, whereas the periphery 39 of eccentric member 3| is struck as a circle about a different center; namely, at 4|, being the intersection of lines BB and 8-8. Accordingly, when the eccentric, member 3| is rotated about its axis 43 as by means of a wrench applied to squared portion 32 thereof, the arm member 33 will be thereby swung in direction of opening or closing movement of the door and about axis 34 as a center, due to the wedging contact of the outer periphery 39 of the eccentric member 3| bearing against the inner periphery of the opening 38 of the arm member. It is pointed out that the opening 42 in the inner end of the arm member 33 which fits over the trunnion 35 is elongated lengthwise of the arm member 33. Thus when the eccentric is rotated to cause swinging of the arm member about its pivot point 40 the arm can shift in the direction of its length upon the trunnion 35, thus preventing binding of the eccentric member when the same is actuated. In other words, the center about which the periphery of the eccentric is struck moves in a circular path about the eccentric trunnion axis 40 while at the same time the arm member moves longitudinally with respect to its pivot axis. An examination of Figures 6 to 10 will disclose that should this provision for longitudinal shifting of the arm member 33 with respect to its pivot trunnion 35, or the equivalent thereof, not be provided, it would be impossible to rotate the eccentric member 3|, because otherwise when the throw of the eccentric is in, or toward, the

longitudinal direction of the arm member the eccentric member would bind within the arm member opening 38.

When the parts are so secured together by means of the rivets, the arm member, the base member and the eccentric become in effect a rigid, unitary or one-piece door arm structure, the same in effect as the integral door arms heretofore in general use. At the same time the new structure is capable of being adjusted to any degree of exactness that may be necessary as wear develops in service and after adjustment the parts can be re-riveted to again become a unitary door arm. This readjusting and re-riveting can be repeated as often as is desired.

The eccentric member 3| is provided with an annular flange 43 arranged to lie above the top of the hub 44 of the arm member, which hub surrounds the opening 39. This flange serves, when the unit is assembled, to prevent axial displacement of the arm member with respect to the pivot axis 49.

In employing this unit on a car, the base casting 2's is first riveted to the door plate beam and door at 25 and 23. The arm member is then placed upon the trunnion 35, in which position it will embrace the eccentric trunnion 3|]. The washer 39 is then applied and a fitting-up bolt applied temporarily in place of rivet 3.1.75

This temporarily holds the inner or pivoted end of the arm member upon its trunnion.

The eccentric member 3| is then let down upon its trunnion 39, the eccentric necessarily being positioned within the opening 38 of the arm member at this time. The door is pushed nearly shut and the hook or latch caused to engage with the projecting end of the arm member 33. A wrench is then applied to the squared portion 32 of the eccentric and the eccentric is rotated to alter the angular relationship of the arm member and the base member to bring the door into tight fit against the door frame 24. The rivet 45 is then driven, this being arranged axial of the eccentric axis 40. The top of the eccentric member may be serrated, as at 46 to hold rivet 45 against rotation. The fitting-up bolt is then removed and rivet 31 driven.

Attention is called to the tapered character of the opening 38, the trunnion 30 and the corresponding bearing surface of the eccentric member 32, also to the tapered character of the trunnion 35 and the cooperating opening 42 in the arm member. These are all so arranged in order that when the respective rivets are driven the parts will be thereby clamped tightly together so as to prevent rotating until the rivets are cut away for adjusting the parts after wear develops, as has been described for the preceding form of the invention. In this latter form of the invention the movement of the eccentric results in approximately double the amount of adjustment at the hook or latch as compared with the construction of Figures 1 to 5. This is due to the fact that the arm member is here pivoted at its inner end and the eccentric adjusting member is located medial of the length of the arm member.

Having thus described the embodiments of the invention, what is claimed is:

1. An adjustable supporting arm for load-supporting car doors comprising an arm member pivotally mounted upon the door and arranged with one end thereof overreaching a side of the door, said end being adapted for engagement by door-supporting means movably mounted upon the car body, movable adjusting means spaced longitudinally of the arm member from the pivot mounting of the arm member and operably associated between the arm member and the door whereby the angular relationship of said arm member and the door in door-supporting direction may be altered to insure a tight fit of the door, and means for rigidly securing the movable adjusting means to the arm member and the door to hold the arm member in fixed angular relationship to the door after said angular relationship has been altered.

2. An adjustable supporting arm for car doors comprising an arm member pivotally mounted upon the door with the pivot axis normal to the plane of closing movement of the door, one end of said arm member being arranged to overreach a side of the door and a side of the car and being there adapted for engagement by door-supporting means movably mounted upon the car body, eccentric adjusting means operably interposed between said arm member and the door with the pivot axis thereof lying parallel with and spaced longitudinally of the arm member from the first mentioned pivot axis and adapted upon rotation to alter the angular relationship of the said arm member and the door in door-closing direction to insure a tight fit of the door, and means for locking the eccentric means, the arm member and the door together in fixed angular relationship after said angular relationship has been altered.

3. An adjustable door beam extension for car doors comprising an arm member pivotally mounted upon the door beam and arranged with one end thereof overreaching the end of the beam and a side of the car, said end being adapted for engagement by a door-supporting member movably mounted upon the car body, eccentric adjusting means operably associated between the arm member and the beam and spaced longitudinally of the arm member from the pivot mounting of the arm member whereby the angular relationship of said arm member and beam in door-supporting direction may be altered to insure a tight fit of the door, and means for rigidly securing said arm member and door beam together in fixed angular relationship to each other after said angular relationship has been altered.

4. An adjustable supporting arm unit for loadsupporting car doors comprising an arm member pivotally mounted upon the door with the pivot axis thereof arranged in a manner so that the arm member may be swung thereabout in direcaxis of the arm member, said arm and eccentric members being operatively connected to each other and to the door so that rotation of the eccentric member will effect forcible swing of the arm member with respect to the door in door closing direction to insure a tight fit of the door, and means for locking the eccentric and arm members together into fixed angular relationship, after said relationship has been altered in door closing direction by rotation of the 'eocentric member as aforesaid, said arm member being adapted and arranged for cooperation with doorsupporting mechanism carried by the car body.

5. An adjustable door arm for car doors com prising a pivot member and an arm member pivoted thereupon, the pivot member being adapted for rigid attachment to the door, and the arm member for engagement with door supporting mechanism carried by the car body, said pivot member being disposed in a manner to permit swinging movement of the arm member with respect to the door in door closing direction, means for efiecting and controlling said angular movement, said means embodying an eccentric element rotatably interposed between the arm member and the door with its axis of rotation disposed normal to the plane of said pivot movement of the arm member and spaced longitudinally of the arm member from the pivot mounting of the arm member and means substantially coincident with said axis and passing through said arm member and the eccentric element for rigidly securing said arm member and eccentric element in fixed angular relationship to each other and to the door after said angular relationship has been altered.

'6. An adjustable door beam extension for loadsupporting car doors comprising an arm member pivoted medial of its length to the door beam near an end of the beam, an eccentric member rotatively connected to the beam inwardly of the end thereof, said arm member and eccentric member being operatively connected together at the inner end of the arm member at a point spaced longitudinally of the arm member from the pivot mounting of the arm member and in a manner whereby rotation of the eccentric member will cause displacement of the opposite or outer end of the arm member with respect to the door in the direction of closing movement of the door and about its medial pivot point as an axis of rotation, and means located near the inner end of the arm member for rigidly securing the arm member to the door beam in a fixed relationship after the outer end of said arm member has been displaced in direction of door closing movement as aforesaid, said outer or adjustable end of the arm member being arranged to overreach the side of the door for engagement by door-supporting mechanism carried by the car body.

7. An adjustable door arm unit for swinging load-supporting car doors consisting of an arm member pivoted medial of its length upon the door with the pivot axis arranged perpendicular to the direction of swing of the door, the outer end of said member being arranged to over-reach a side edge of the door and for engagement with movable door-supporting mechanism carried by the car body, a pivot member rigidly attached to the door at the inner end of the arm member and with the axis thereof disposed parallel with the arm member pivot axis and spaced inwardly of the side edge of the door therefrom, and an eccentric member rotatively mounted upon the pivot member, said arm and eccentric members having eccentric bearing upon each other in a manner whereby rotation of the eccentric member about its axis will cause forcible rotation of the arm member about its pivot axis to effect a displacement of the outer end of the arm member with respect to the door in direction of closing movement of the door whereby a tight fit of the door may be maintained, and means for locking the eccentric member in a fixed position of rotation to hold the arm member in a fixed position with respect to the door after said arm member has been displaced in door closing direction as aforesaid.

8. Improvements in adjustable supporting arms for use with flanged door beams of loadsupporting car doors whereby a tight fit of the door may be maintained and wherein the supporting arm comprises an extension of the beam and overreaches the side of the door for engagement by movable door supporting means mounted upon the car body, said improvements consisting of a pivot rigidly affixed to the beam near its end and with the pivot axis parallel with the plane of the door and perpendicular to a web of the beam, an arm member pivotally mounted thereupon at a point medial of its length, a second pivot mounted upon the beam inwardly of the end of the beam spaced from the first mentioned pivot and with its axis parallel with the axis of the first mentioned pivot, the arm member being apertured to loosely encompass said second pivot, and an eccentric mounted for rotation upon said second pivot and having eccentric contact with the inner end of said arm member in such manner that rotation of the eccentric member will cause forcible rotation of the arm member about the first mentioned pivot as an axis, and means for locking the eccentric member in fixed position of rotation to hold said arm member in a fixed angular position with respect to the door after the eccentric member has been rotated as aforesaid to forcibly swing the said arm member.

9. Improvements in adjustable supporting arms for use with flanged door beams of loadsupporting car doors whereby a tight fit of the door may be maintained wherein the supporting arm comprises an extension of ,the beam and over-reaches the side of the door for engagement by movable door-supporting means mounted upon the car body, said improvements consisting of a pivot rigidly aflixed to .the beam near its end and with the pivot axis parallel with the plane of the door and perpendicular to the web of the beam, an arm member pivotally mounted thereupon medial of its length, a second pivot rigidly mounted upon the beam inwardly of the end of the beam spaced from the first mentioned pivot and with its axis parallel with the axis of the first mentioned pivot, the arm member being apertured at its inner end to loosely encompass the said second pivot, and an eccentric mounted for rotation upon the said second pivot and positioned within the said aperture of the arm member and having eccentric contact with the end of said arm member in such manner that rotation of the eccentric upon said second pivot will cause forcible rotation of the arm member about the said first pivot, and means for looking the eccentric in fixed position of rotation to hold said arm member in a fixed angular position with respect to the door after the eccentric member has been rotated as aforesaid to forcibly swing the said arm member.

10. Improvements arms for use with flanged door beams of loadsupporting car doors whereby a tight fit of the door may be maintained wherein the supporting arm comprises an extension of the beam and over-reaches the side of the door for engagement 5 by movable door-supporting means mounted upon the car body, said improvements consisting of a pivot rigidly aflixed to the beam near its end and with the pivot axis parallel with the plane of the door and perpendicular to the web of the beam, anarm member pivotally mounted theree upon medial of its length, a second pivot rigidly mounted upon the beam inwardly of the end of the beam spaced from the first mentioned pivot and with its axis parallel with the axis of the first mentioned pivot, the arm member having an aperture at its inner end elongated transverselyof the length of the arm and loosely encompassing the said second pivot, and an eccentric mounted for rotation upon the said second pivot and having eccentric contact with the end of said arm member in a direction transversely of the length of the arm and in such manner that rotation of the eccentric upon said second pivot will cause forcible movements of the ends of the arm, about the said first pivot as an axis, in direction of closing movement of the door, and means for locking the eccentric in fixed position of rotation to hold said arm member in a fixed angularposition with respect to the door after the eccentric member has been rotated ,as aforesaid to forcibly swing the said arm member.

11. Improvements in adjustable supporting arms for use with door beams of load-supporting car doors whereby a tight fit of the door may be maintained wherein the beam is comprised of a flange lying against the outer face of the door and a web outstanding therefrom in a direction normal to the said face of the door, and wherein the supporting arm comprises an extension of the beam and over-reaches the side of the door for engagement by movable door-supporting means mounted upon the car body, said improvements consisting of an arm member pivotally mounted, medial of its length, upon the outin adjustable supporting standing web of the beam and having load-receiving bearing transversely of the arm against the door-contacting flange of the beam, a pivot rigidly mounted upon the web of the beam at a point spaced inwardly of the end of the beam and inwardly of the arm member pivot point and with its axis parallel with the axis of the arm member pivot, the arm member being apertured at its inner end to loosely encompass the said pivot, and an eccentric mounted for rotation upon the said second pivot and having eccentric contact with the end of said arm member in such manner that rotation of the eccentric upon said second pivot will cause forcible rotation of the arm member about the said first pivot, and means for locking the eccentric in fixed position of rotation to hold said arm member in a fixed angular position with respect to the door after the eccentric member has been rotated as aforesaid to forcibly swing the said arm member.

12. Improvements in adjustable supporting arms for use with flanged door beams of loadsupporting car doors whereby a tight fit of the door may be maintained wherein the beam is comprised of a flange lying against the outer face of the door and a web outstanding therefrom in a direction normal to the said face of the door, and wherein the supporting arm comprises an extension of the beam and over-reaches the side of the door for engagement by movable door-supporting means mounted upon thecar body, said improvements consisting of an arm member pivotally mounted, medial of its length, upon the outstanding web of the beam and having a direct load-receiving bearing transversely of the arm against the said flange cf the beam near the end of the latter, a pivot rigidly mounted upon the beam inwardly of the end of the beam and spaced inwardly of the pivot point of the arm member and with its axis parallel with the axis of the arm member pivot axis, the arm member having an aperture atits inner end elongated transversely of the length of the arm and loosely encompassing the said pivot, andan eccentric mounted for rotation upon the said second pivot and having eccentric contact with the end of said arm member in a direction transversely of the length of the arm and in such manner that rotation of the eccentric upon said second pivot will cause forcible rotation of the arm member about the said first pivot as an axis and against the aforesaid direct load-receiving area of the door beam flange, and means passing axially of the eccentric for clamping the eccentric, the arm and the door beam into fixed rigid relationship to each other and to the door after said arm member has been forcibly swung about its pivot point by rotation of said eccentric as aforesaid.

13. An adjustable door arm unit for ladingsupporting car doorsconsisting of a basemember adapted for rigid attachment to the door and an arm member adapted for engagement with door supporting mechanism carriedby the car body, thearm member being pivoted to the basemember near one end of said arm member, the other end of said arm member being extended beyond the base member and arranged to over-reach an edge of the door and formed for engagement with aforementioned door supporting mechanism, eccentric adjusting meanspivotally interposed between the base and arm members intermediate the ends of the arm member and spaced from the pivot mounting of the arm member and base member and adapted upon rotation to forcibly alter the angular relationship of the arm and base members in door-closing direction to maintain a tight fit of the door, and means for holding said members in adjusted relationship, said means being located at the axes of the said pivoted connection and said eccentric means.

14. An adjustable door arm unit for ladingsupporting car doors consisting of a base member adapted for rigid attachment to the door and an arm member adapted for engagement with door supporting mechanism carried by the car body, the arm member being pivoted to the base member near one end of said arm member, the other end of said arm member being extended beyond the base member and arranged to overreach an edge of the door and formed for engagement with aforementioned door supporting mechanism, eccentric adjusting means pivotally interposed between the base and arm members intermediate the ends of the arm member and spaced from the pivot mounting of the arm member and base member and adapted upon rotation to forcibly alter the angular relationship of the arm and base members in door-closing direction to maintain a tight fit of the door, said pivoted connection and the eccentric adjusting means being formed with tapered trunnions with axes transverse of the direction of adjustment, and securing and clamping means substantially coincident with the said axes and operable transversely of the direction of adjustment and adapted to hold said tapered trunnions in tight engagement to prevent change in the angular relationship of thearm and base members after said angular relationship has been altered as aforesaid.

15. An adjustable door arm unit for ladingsupporting car doors consisting of a base member adapted for rigid attachment to a flanged door beam and an arm member mounted thereupon arranged to over-reach an edge of the door for engagement with beam supporting mechanism carried by the car body, the base member having a plurality of angularly arranged walls, one thereof adapted for positioning against and securing to a flange of said door beam which lies in the plane of the door and the other for positioning against and securing to a flange thereof which extends outwardly normal to the door, said base member being formed with a tapered pivot trunnion near its inner end and a tapered eccentric trunnion near its outer end, both thereof lying with their axes upright to said last named flange, said arm member having a pivot opening of tapered character near its inner end adapted for cooperation with said pivot trunnion of the base member and having an enlarged tapered opening coincident with said eccentric trunnion of the base member, a cooperatively tapered eccentric member mounted upon said eccentric trunnion and rotatively interposed between said base and arm members and adapted for effecting displacement of one thereof with respect to the other in the direction of closing movement of the door to maintain tight fit of the door, and clamping elements passing axially of said pivot and eccentric trunnions and through the outstanding flange of the door beam and adapted to clamp said tapered elements into tight relationship to each other to hold the same against change in angular relationship to each other after being displaced with respect to each other as aforesaid.

16. -An adjustable supporting arm for car doors comprising a base member rigidly attached to the door, an arm member pivotally mounted at one of its ends upon the base member in a manner whereby the arm member may be swung about said pivot mounting in direction of closing movement of the doors, said arm member being adapted at its opposite end for engagement by a door-supporting member movably mounted upon the car body, eccentric adjusting means operably interposed between the base and arm members and spaced longitudinally of the arm member from the pivot mounting thereof, said eccentric adjusting means being adapted upon rotation to forcibly swing the arm member about its pivot mounting to alter the angular relationship of the arm and base members in direction of door movement to maintain a tight fit of the door, and means passing through the arm member and base member for rigidly securing the same in fixed angular relationship to each other after said angular relationship has been altered as aforesaid.

1'7. An adjustable door arm for car doors comprising a base member and an arm member, the base member being rigidly attached to the door and the arm member being pivotally connected to the base member and adapted for engagement with door supporting mechanism carried by the car body, the pivotal connection being arranged in a manner to permit angular displacement of one of said members thereof with respect to the other about said pivot connection as an axis of rotation and in direction of door closing movement to maintain a tight fit of the door, means for forcibly effecting and controlling said angular displacement, said means embodying an eccentric element mounted upon one of said members and having eccentric bearing upon the other thereof and rotatable about an axis parallel with that of the said pivotal connection, and means passing through said members and through the eccentric element for rigidly securing said members and element in fixed angular relationship to each other after said members have been angularly displaced relative to each other as aforesaid.

18. An adjustable door arm for car doors comprising a base member and an arm member, the base member being rigidly attached to the door and the arm member being adapted for engagement with door supporting mechanism carried by the car body, said members being pivotally connected together in a manner to permit rotation of one thereof with respect to the other to effect angular displacement of one thereof with respect to the other in direction of door closing move ment to maintain a tight fit of the door, means for effecting and controlling said angular displacement, said means embodying an eccentric element interposed between the said members at a point removed longitudinally of the arm from the pivot axis aforesaid, said eccentric element being rotatively mounted upon one of said members and having eccentric bearing upon the other thereof, and means for holding the arm member to the base member in a fixed position of angular displacement after the said members have been angularly displaced as aforesaid.

19. An adjustable door arm for car doors comprising a base member and an arm member, the base member being rigidly attached to the door and the arm member being adapted for engagement with door supporting mechanism carried by the car body, said members being pivotally connected together in a manner to permit rotation of one thereof with respect to the other to effect angular displacement of said members relative to each other in door closing direction to maintain a tight fit of the door, means for effecting and controlling said angular displacement, said means embodying an eccentric element rotatably mounted upon one of said members with its axis of rotation arranged normal to the plane of said angular displacement and spaced from the pivot connectionbetween the arm and base members, said eccentric element having bearing against the other of said members and adapted upon rotation to cause forcible rotation of the arm member about its pivot mounting, and means substantially coincident with said eccentric axis and passing through the arm and base members and the eccentric element for rigidly securing said members and element in a fixed angular relationship to eachother after said members have been angularly displaced relative to each other as aforesaid.

20. An adjustable supporting arm for car doors comprising a base member rigidly secured to the door and an arm member movably mounted upon the base member and arranged for adjusting movement with respect thereto in the direction of closing movement of the door to maintain a tight fit of the door, means for effecting said movement comprising an adjusting member movably interposed between said base and arm member and arranged for wedging action between said base and arm members in a manner to cause relative displacement of said members in said direction of closing movement of the door, and means for rigidly connecting the adjusting member, the arm member and the base member together when in adjusted positions.

21. An adjustable supporting arm for car doors comprising a base member rigidly secured to the door and an arm member movably mounted upon the base member and arranged for adjusting movement with respect thereto in the direction of closing movement of the door to maintain a tight fit of the door, means spaced from the aforesaid mounting point for effecting said movement, said means comprising an adjusting member movably interposed between said base and arm member and arranged for wedging-action between said base and arm members in said direction of closing movement of the door, and means for locking the base member, the arm member and the adjusting member together into a rigid unitary door arm structure when the base member and arm member are in adjusted positions with respect to each other.

22. An adjustable door arm unit for ladingsupporting car doors consisting of a base member to the door and an arm member adapted for engagement with door supporting mechanism carried by the car body, the arm member being pivoted to the base member near one end of said arm member in manner whereby the arm member may be swung upon the base member in direction of closing movement of the door to adjust said arm member to maintain a tight fit of the door, the other end of said arm member being extended beyond the base member and arranged to over-reach an edge of the door and formed for engagement as aforementioned with door supporting mechanism, eccentric adjusting means pivotally interposed between the base and arm members intermediate the ends of the arm member and spaced from the pivot mounting of the arm member to the base member, said eccentric adjusting means being adapted and arranged upon rotation thereof to forcibly rotate the arm member upon its said pivot and means for holding said eccentric adjusting means against rotation after the same has been rotated as aforesaid to swing the arm member into desired position with respect to the base member and the door.

23. An adjustable door arm unit for ladingsupporting car doors consisting of a base member rigidly attached to the door and an arm member arranged at its outer end to over-reach a side edge of the door, said outer end being adapted for engagement with door supporting mechanism carried by the car body, the arm member being pivoted at its inner end to the base member in a manner to permit swinging adjustment of the said outer end of the arm member with respect to the door in direction of door-closing movement to maintain a tight fit of the door, eccentric adjusting means pivotally interconnected between the base and arm members intermediate the ends of the arm member and spaced from the pivot mounting of the arm and base members, the axis rotation of the eccentric adjusting means being fixed with respect to the base member, the arm member being arranged for a 1ongitudinal sliding motion with respect to its pivot mounting and with respect to the base member to prevent binding between the eccentric member and the arm member when the eccentric member is rotated and means for holding said eccentric adjusting means against rotation after the same has been rotated as aforesaid to swing the arm member into desired position with respect to the base member and the door.

24. An adjustable door arm unit for ladingsupporting car doors consisting of a base member rigidly attached to the door and an arm member arrangedat its outer end to over-reach a side edge of the door, said outer end being adapted for engagement with door supporting mechanism carried by the car body, the arm member being pivoted at its inner end to the base member in a manner to permit swinging adjusting of the outer end of the arm member with respect to the door in direction of door-closing movement to maintain a tight fit of the door, eccentric adjusting means pivotally interlocked between the base and arm members intermediate the ends of the arm member and spaced from the pivot mounting of the arm and base members and adapted upon rotation to forcibly swing the arm member about the arm member pivot mounting to efiect swinging adjustment thereof as aforesaid, said arm member being bodily movable longitudinally of itself and transversely of the direction of closing movement of the door with respect to the base member and with respect to the axis of rotation of the eccentric member to prevent 'binding between the arm member and the eccentric member when the latter is rotated and means for holding said eccentric adjusting means against rotation after the same has been rotated as aforesaid to swing the arm member into desired position with respect to the base member and the door.

BYE RS WASHINGTON KADEL. 

